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GW Earns Flight Deck Certification

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060206-13
Release Date: 2/6/2006 12:01:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jennifer Crowell, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At sea (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 successfully completed flight deck certification Feb. 3, after the ship has not launched or recovered aircraft in more than a year. The certification comes four days after GW left Norfolk Naval Station.

“Flight deck certification is about a two to three-day evolution,” said Capt. David Fox, GW’s air boss. “Whenever you don’t launch and recover aircraft for a certain amount of time, you have to recertify.”

Getting the flight deck certified by Commander, U.S. Naval Air Forces, Atlantic (AIRLANT) Fleet Handling Team is a major step in preparing a ship to return to combat readiness.

In order to receive the green light to resume flight operations, a series of check lists is followed, covering everything from the catapults and arresting gear down to the lighting on the flight deck and in the hangar bay.

Another part of the certification process included how Sailors responded to simulated crashes and fires. At first, drills were run by just Air Department. Once CVW-17 arrived, everyone involved in the certification witnessed the early stages of teamwork.

“The GW-CVW-17 team is coming together,” said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) 1st Class (AW) Christopher Harris of air department. “AIRLANT was very impressed by the amount of teamwork everyone showed.”

“Since we’ve been out here, the air wing has jumped in, played and executed,” said Fox. “It’s not just in the drills. There’s been a lot of interaction around the rest of the ship.”

As the ship receives the go-ahead to carry out its primary mission, Fox commended the amount of training and degree of professionalism shown by everyone involved in the inspections.

“I’m proud of what’s going on,” said Fox. “The aviation boatswain’s mates are out here day and night in all types of weather making things happen in a very dangerous place.”

After a successful certification, GW's air department looks forward to continuing the mission and completing carrier qualifications.

“The training period is over,” said Harris. “Now we can get into doing what we have to do.”

“It’s very humbling to be up here,” said Fox, “looking down and seeing it all come together after we’ve trained so hard.”